Silverdale Parish Council

2004/02/02

2nd February 2004

7530 Un-confirmed Minutes of an Ordinary Meeting of the Silverdale Parish Council held in the Silverdale Institute on Monday 2nd February 2004.

7531 Present: Councillors A.W. (Arthur) Graves, J. (June) Greenwell, R.M. (Ralph) Henderson, A.J. (Tony) Houghton, the Clerk – P.G. (Peter) Challenor, County & District Councillor S.M. (Sarah) Fishwick, PC 1283 Roger Brooksbank, and six members of the public. In the absence of the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman, the Chair was taken by Councillor Henderson.

7533 Receipt of Declarations of Members’ Interests relating to any items appearing on the agenda.

No interests were declared.

7534 Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting, held on 5th January 2004, were approved, and then signed by the Chairman of the meeting.

7535 Receipt of information about matters arising from the Minutes of previous meetings, not covered by the Agenda.

7517 Matters raised by Members of the Public (2) Constitution of the Parish Plan Development Group: Councillor Greenwell reported that there are ongoing discussions about a more appropriate form of wording and had agreed that the proposed revisions should be deferred to a future meeting.

7536 Matters raised by Members of the Public for future consideration.

(1) One person expressed concern about the proposed new lights for Emesgate Lane and Stankelt Road. He hopes that the illumination will be kept to a low level, will not cause undue ‘sky glow’, and will not provide all-round illumination thereby shining into house windows.

(2) Two people separately expressed their concerns about the proposed installation of a mobile phone antenna on the gable end of 21 Emesgate Lane, and gave several reasons for their objections.

(3) One person queried the fact that the draft Deed of Trust for the Playground does not include a requirement that the occupiers of neighbouring houses should be consulted, before the Council undertakes any alterations at the site, and said that he was of the opinion that there had been an agreement to this effect, sometime in the past. The Clerk indicated that the Deeds, previously held by the Nat West Bank, now in the custody of the Clerk, do not contain any such agreement, and that the proposed Deed is in accordance with the requirements of the Charity Commission.

7537 Update from Community Police Officer, PC 1283 Roger Brooksbank.

PC Brooksbank reported that (a) he has been required to attend six incidents of assault and one of criminal damage, at Ridgway Park School, during the past month, (b) he has a meeting scheduled with a Lancashire CC representative, with the hope of agreeing further improvements to the level crossing, and (c) he has spoken to the person who ignited some very loud fireworks on New Year’s Eve, who has also apologised to nearby neighbours. Members made comment about the problems caused by parked vehicles opposite Stoneleigh Court and outside the newsagents, and questioned the reason for the recent used of the Police helicopter.

7538 Change in order of Agenda

RESOLVED that item 11 (Planning) be brought forward and considered next.

7539 Planning

(1) The following Planning Applications were considered, and comments made as indicated.

This Council OBJECTS to the installation of this equipment in the centre of the main residential area of the village, and on the wall of a residence, on the grounds that there is considerable public concern about the possible health hazards of the radio waves emitted from the proposed antenna.

Members also recommended that there should be a review of other locations which are likely to be needed for future mast sites, before giving consideration to any further applications.

Councillor Fishwick made reference to (a) the white-lining at the level crossing has been improved recently, (b) concern about the new signs at the entrance to Waterslack Farm, plus the alterations to the car park and diversion of the public footpath, (c) the County Council policy that they will not undertake the re-painting of white railings, but will pay for the cost of white paint, should any person wish to undertake the work, (d) residents of Warton are reported to be pleased with the new street lights, (e) draft budgets for the County and City Councils, and (f) the appointment of Wendy Thompson as Lancaster District Partnership Officer.

7541 Reports on Meetings

1. Councillor Henderson reported on his attendance at a meeting of the Lancaster Area Committee of the LAPTC, on 26th January. His report included mention of (a) the appointment of Wendy Thompson as Lancaster District Partnership Officer, (b) maintenance of public toilets – residents are invited to submit comments about those in Silverdale, (c) calls to “Crimestoppers” are all anonymous and result in an average of 103 arrests per month, so the public are encouraged to report anything suspicious by telephoning 0800-555111 at any time, and (d) proposals of the Boundary Committee for a ‘Morecambe Bay’ unitary authority could enhance the role of those parish councils which achieve “Quality Parish” status and have a Parish Plan.

2. Councillor Henderson reported on his attendance at a meeting of the AONB Executive Committee, on 28th January, standing in for the Chairman. The main item for the meeting had been the fourth draft of the Management Plan.

3. Councillor Houghton reported on his attendance at a meeting of the Silverdale Sports and Recreation Development Committee, on 26th January. His report made mention of (a) the area around the School being the most hopeful site for the implementation of the objectives of the Committee, (b) the Committee had requested that some of its members be co-opted to the Committee of the Silverdale Institute, but the request had been refused, (c) a letter has been sent to the Clerk, but not received, requesting that football goal posts be provided at the Cove Road playing field, and (d) that there is a very successful table tennis group, using the facilities of the Leeds Children’s Holiday Centre.

7542 Parish Lengthswoman

Copies of the weekly worksheets for November and December 2003 had been circulated to Members, with the agenda. Members expressed their satisfaction with the work undertaken. Items of work, for consideration were (a) cleaning of road signs, (b) cutting-back the ivy from the wall opposite the Methodist Church, and (c) cutting-back of roadside verges, which are encroaching on metalled highway surfaces.
7543 Correspondence

Receipt of the following items was noted and any action determined, by resolution, as indicated: